Derby County (1) 2-3 (1) Barnsley
1-0 Rob Hulse (27)
1-1 Adam Hammill (36)
1-2 Andy Gray (57)
1-3 Anderson De Silva (90+)
2-3 Shaun Barker (90+)
Pride Park Stadium, Derby: 27,609.
Derby County (4-4-2):
Stephen Bywater [6] - GK - Had no chance with Barnsley's wonder goal and was left completely exposed for one-on-ones for the visitors second and third goals. Apart from those incidents, in all honesty, he didn't have a great deal to do. Consistently looked to release the ball early but got into trouble twice because Barnsley were more alert than Derby's backline.
Paul Connolly [5] - RB - Needs to learn to pass the ball on the deck more instead of hoofing it forward at every opportunity. Generally had a solid game defensively, but positionally allowed Barnsley too much space ahead of him and out wide. Should have closed Hammill down earlier to prevent the wonder strike. Attempted to get forward and attack late on but lacked composure in doing so.
Shaun Barker [6] - CB(R) - A solid game defensively with some good tackles and blocks. Made up a lot of ground in an attempt to deny De Silva Barnsley's third goal and would have made a goal line clearance if he'd stayed on his feet instead of falling on his backside. Took his late goal well, but should've had another earlier in the second half if he'd shot first time instead of trying to control the ball first.
Miles Addison [5] - CB (L) - Defensively an improved performance but looked a little hesitant at times. Made a good block in the second half. Fortunate the referee didn't see his blatant push in the penalty area which would've conceded a penalty on another day. Pushed up front late on as an emergency striker but didn't make an impact.
Dean Moxey [6] - LB - Defensively very solid again. Got forward well in support of Gary Teale, and later Kris Commons, but his passing was below par. Hit two impressive long range shots - the first, in the first half, curled tremendously but unfortunately didn't curl enough; the second, in the second half, flew just over the bar.
Lee Croft [6] - RM - Voted Man of the Match by the Rams fans and I can't fault that decision, although more for his first half display than his second. I've criticised Croft's final ball before but he produced two crosses of the highest quality both putting a goal on a plate for Hulse. The first Hulse gratefully accepted, the second he couldn't direct on target. Croft was a constant thorn in Barnsley's side first half with his pace and trickery and willingness to work hard, tackle, and win the ball. After the break, Croft hardly saw the ball and disappeared from the game.
Robbie Savage [6] - CM(R) - Hustled and bustled as normal and worked hard in midfield but with little end product. Tried to knit the game together with his passing, but was unable to get close and tackle as much as normal, a task made harder after his early booking for simulation. Intervened as captain well, when Commons blatantly ignored the referee who wanted to talk to him, and may have saved his team mate from a yellow card. Showed good dribbling skills late on when he drove on and took the game to Barnsley.
Jake Livermore [6] - CM(L) - Despite people around me screaming for him to be substituted in the second half, I thought this was Livermore's best game for Derby County so far. He competed far more and looked more comfortable in midfield as part of a 4-4-2. He won the ball back frequently and made some good passes. Had two shots - one charged down, the other over the bar. Faded in the second half like the rest of Derby's midfield.
Gary Teale [5] - LM - Started brightly and saw plenty of the ball. His consistent direct running and crosses into the box helped Derby establish a siege in Barnsley's half for much of the first half. Dragged one shot wide. Unfortunately the quality of his crossing was poor with some badly directed or overhit crosses. Faded in the second half, but had a resurgence late on when he switched to the right wing as Derby chased the game.
Kris Commons [5] - FC - I can't fault his effort and work rate but unfortunately there was little end product. Seemed to be held, shoved, and tripped all game but the referee gave Commons nothing over 90 minutes. His frustration showed midway through the second half when he committed a foul himself then ignored the referee who wanted to talk to him. Tended to drift out wide where his crosses into the box were poor. His corner delivery wasn't up to its usual standards either.
Rob Hulse [6] - SC - Probably shouldn't have been playing as he'd been ill for two days, but I didn't know that at the time and can only comment on the performance I saw. Worked hard against big Darren Moore but, like Commons, didn't get his fair share of decisions from a referee who allowed Moore to manhandle him all game. Scored a brilliant header from Croft's pinpoint cross and should have scored a second when he headed another inviting Croft cross wide of goal. Faded noticeably, and understandably with hindsight, in the second half and was unable to provide the focal point up front the Rams badly needed.
Substitutes:
Paul Dickov [5] - SC (for Hulse, 68) - Finally given a decent run out by Nigel Clough, if you can call 22 minutes a decent run out, but was on a hiding to nothing as Derby were playing long balls forward by then and Dickov was never going to win an aerial battle against Moore. Did have a couple of half chances in the penalty area but was unable to react quick enough and the opportunities were gone.
Stephen Pearson [n/a] - LM (for Croft, 84) - Didn't really have enough time to make an impact on the left wing. Had one chance to run at the Barnsley defence but overran the ball and lost possession.
Subs not used: Saul Deeney, Jay McEveley, Dean Leacock, Ben Pringle, Lee Hendrie....